20 mins
Zesty Pasta Salad
Recipe by Graham
Zesty Pasta Salad is a low-fat, zesty salad that is perfect for a light summer lunch. If you are not vegetarian and want to vary the basic recipe, you can add chunks of ham, salami or leftover cooked chicken. Alternatively, you can flake in hot-smoked salmon or smoked mackerel or you can really "go for it" by topping with crisp bacon. If you are vegetarian, sundried tomatoes, olives or roasted peppers make a nice addition.
Yorkshire Puddings with Sausages, Broccoli and Shallot Gravy 
Black pudding, King Scallop and Apples Ingredients for Zesty Pasta Salad
Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements
How to Cook Zesty Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta in boiling water as instructed on the packet (usually just a few minutes). Add the peas for the final 2 minutes cooking time. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then drain again.
- Grate the zest from the lemon and squeeze the juice into a bowl along with the olive oil and plenty of seasoning. Add the cooled pasta and peas and mix well. Cover and chill, spooning out portions as and when you want. (If you're keeping this for a little while, by days 3 and 4 you'll need to stir in a little more olive oil to loosen the pasta).
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
Don't overcook your pasta - "al dente" is perfect for this recipe.
Pasta is relatively dense and chewy and needs a silky-textured wine that's both delicate and rich. Pinot gris (also known as pinot grigio) matches this criteria and offers sweet apple, pear, and hints of stone fruit, brightened with citrus and mineral flavours.
Highly recommended if you can get it is 2005 Domaine Stirn Cuvée Prestige Sigolsheim. This family-owned Alsace producer has been fashioning wines in the tiny town of Sigolsheim since 1450, among them this honeysuckle-scented cuvée.
Reviews of Zesty Pasta Salad
| January 10 2015 This recipe was really good, it tasted awesome and is even better the next day! I added some leftover salami, and some leftover shredded mozz once everything had chilled. Very versatile & swap-friendly! It was tangy and salty at the perfect blend! The BF said it was better than my usual mayo-based pasta salad. PaisleyJane (1 review) |
What To Eat Tonight
You need something quick or light or both. What do you do? You turn to our choice of snacks and light meals and select the one you like.
No mess, no fuss, just throw it in the oven and leave it alone till it's ready to eat. That's the approximate theory! How close do we get?
When the winter chill sets in, there's nothing like a plate of hot comfort to make you feel good about the world outside.
Other Pasta Recipes
Lemon Sevai comes from the Tamil word 'Sevai' meaning Rice Vermicelli or rice noodles. This recipe is very easy to make and easy to digest.
This recipe for Pasta and Pesto is just a very easy and cheap idea for a quick meal or light lunch.
Tomato, Basil and Almond Pasta celebrates the tastes of Sicily. This delicious vegetarian summer pasta can be served warm or at room temperature.
